The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman First Edition 1962

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time The Proud Tower, the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Guns of August, and The Zimmerman Telegram comprise Barbara W. Tuchman's classic histories of the First World War era In this landmark, Pulitzer Prize-winning account, renowned historian Barbara W. Tuchman re-creates the first month of World War I: thirty days in the summer of 1914 that determined the course of the conflict, the century, and ultimately our present world. Beginning with the funeral of Edward VII, Tuchman traces each step that led to the inevitable clash. And inevitable it was, with all sides plotting their war for a generation. Dizzyingly comprehensive and spectacularly portrayed with her famous talent for evoking the characters of the war's key players, Tuchman's magnum opus is a classic for the ages. Praise for The Guns of August "A brilliant piece of military history which proves up to the hilt the force of Winston Churchill's statement that the first month of World War I was 'a drama never surpassed.'" -- Newsweek "More dramatic than fiction . . . a magnificent narrative--beautifully organized, elegantly phrased, skillfully paced and sustained." -- Chicago Tribune "A fine demonstration that with sufficient art rather specialized history can be raised to the level of literature." -- The New York Times " The Guns of August ] has a vitality that transcends its narrative virtues, which are considerable, and its feel for characterizations, which is excellent." -- The Wall Street Journal  

First edition, very early printing with 1962 on both the title page and copyright page with no statement of printings on the copyright page. Black cloth, title in silver/gold on spine and front board. Illustrated endpapers. Does have a previous owner's bookplate on inside fron cover.. Black cloth boards have expected light signs of use and spine has concavity. No dust jacket.

511 pages.